12 signs you need to hire a house cleaner.

Sign #1: You're too busy to do the things you like doing.

When you have a lot of pressing responsibilities, finding time to vacuum and scrub the bathroom tiles is probably the last thing on your mind. But a dirty house can clutter up your headspace, too. If meeting friends for Sunday brunch or curling up with a book at the end of a long day feels like slacking off, it might be time to cut yourself a break. 

An untidy house can make you feel overwhelmed and guilty for relaxing when you could be cleaning. Don't let your house hold you hostage. A professional house cleaner can give you some of your precious free time back. 

Sign #2: The number of people in your household increased.

The level of filth in your house is directly proportional to the number of people living in it. It's science. If you have a new roommate, partner, or child, chances are your house is dirtier than it used to be. 

As the people increase, so do the hours it takes to clean. You shouldn't have to lose time on account of more people living under your roof. A weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visit from a cleaner can help you get back those extra hours. And it can give you more time to enjoy your household, not just clean it. 

Sign #3: You can't keep up with basic cleaning tasks.

Falling behind on cleaning the house starts slow. Maybe you skip sweeping the floors for a week. Next thing you know, you've got dust collecting in the corners and mildew growing in the tub. 

When you can't seem to keep up with basic cleaning tasks, it can feel almost impossible to catch up. And when you're super busy, it might actually be impossible to keep up. Sometimes, just a single visit from a house cleaner is all you need to get back on track. The sooner you get a little help, the sooner you can get back on your cleaning game. 

Sign #4: You're exhausted and just need a break.

Even if you're a superhuman, you can't do everything all the time. Everyone needs to recharge. And when you're completely worn out, cleaning the house may steal your remaining energy. 

Maybe you think that a professional house cleaner is too expensive. Maybe you feel like cleaning the house is your job and you can't imagine paying someone else to do it. But guess what? Plenty of people just like you hire a cleaner to lighten their load when they're just too tired. Give yourself permission to take a break, and see how much better you’ll feel with a spotless house. 

Sign #5: Parts of your home are getting filthy and could use a deep clean.

When it comes to your home, there's "clean" and then there's "deep clean." You know the difference. Everyday cleaning is easy enough to maintain. A little dusting, wiping the counters, sweeping the floors and voila! 

However, a deep clean is when your faucets are gleaming, every window is spotless, there’s no more dirt and grime buildup, and every last surface in the house is clean enough to eat off of. It's also a level of clean that takes most of us a full day of meticulous effort to achieve. In other words, it's a waste of half a perfectly good weekend. 

Hiring a professional house cleaner for a monthly deep cleaning could give you back that dreaded day of cleaning. Let a pro do the hardcore cleaning so you can stick to the easy stuff. You won't regret it. 

Sign #6: You're physically unable to clean your house at the moment.

An injury or illness can seriously take you out of the cleaning game. From a broken arm to an ankle sprain, getting the house in order when you’re injured or sick can be difficult. Getting sick can zap your energy too, and serious illness can keep you down for weeks. Unfortunately, dirt and grime don't quit just because you’re down for the count

If you're the kind of person who has never considered hiring out house cleaning, times like these are an opportunity to give it a try. When you're back on your feet, you’ll find your cleaning duties are more manageable. 

Sign #7: You have houseguests coming soon. 

Even if you’re close with your in-laws, you probably want your home to be at its best when they come for a visit. That generally means the dreaded "deep clean," which can be hard to cram into your schedule — especially around the holidays. 

Instead of stressing yourself out trying to get every nook and cranny spotless, hire a house cleaner. Not only will they leave your home looking immaculate, but you can focus your energy on preparing for your guests. Spending time planning menus and scheduling activities will make a visit memorable. Cleaning won't.

Sign #8: You're about to sell your house.

As if all the paperwork of selling a house isn't stressful enough, you also need to make sure your home is looking its best. You might not be bothered by a few stains on the carpet, but a prospective buyer probably will be. The cleaner your home is, the less likely a buyer will ask for a reduction in price. 

Professional house cleaners are experienced in preparing homes for sale, and they know how to make your house shine. In fact, the products and equipment they use will probably leave the house much cleaner than any of your DIY methods. By the time a professional is done with a cleaning job, you may even think twice about selling. 

Sign #9: You’re moving out of your rental place.

Getting back your security deposit is no easy feat. But, you might have better luck if you make sure your rental is spotless before you leave. Find a cleaning service that offers move-out cleaning. After everything is packed and moved out of your rental place, ask them to vacuum, mop, sweep, dust, scrub everything in the bathroom and clean your kitchen. If all goes well, you might get some — or all — of your deposit back. 

Sign #10: You want to rent out your home.

If you have a garage apartment or a second home, you might be thinking about renting on a short-term basis. It's a great way to earn extra income, but managing all the maintenance and cleaning can turn a side hustle into a headache. 

You may find that a professional house cleaner helps you stress less. Hiring a pro allows you to focus on the decor and details instead of the drudgery of scrubbing surfaces between guests. 

Sign #11: You're going through a major life change.

Some life changes are exciting, like a new baby. Other life changes, like a divorce or death in the family, can be draining. Even something positive like a promotion at work can mess with your work/life balance. 

When your time and attention is consumed by a life change, your routines might fall apart, and the cleanliness of your home can suffer. Instead of feeling guilty or falling behind, you can hire someone to help keep your living space in order. Who knows, you might enjoy it so much that you make cleaning services a part of your new routine. 

Sign #12: Hosting events is your thing, but cleaning isn't.

Hosting a baby shower or dinner party is fun. Planning the menu, putting up decorations, making invitations and choosing place settings make a gathering special. No one is going to remember how sparkling the toilet bowl was or how dustless the cabinet shelves are. But that doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning the house before and after the event. 

If you love entertaining, but hate cleaning, there’s a simple solution: find a cleaning service to take care of it. With the cleaning out of the way, every event can be a joy for you and your guests. 

Find house cleaners near you on Thumbtack.

There are many reasons why people hesitate to hire house cleaners, starting with the cost. You might be surprised to find out how reasonable house cleaning services actually are. The average cost of a house cleaning is $165, but rates will vary depending on where you live and how large your home is.

If you need a break or are ready to make professional house cleaning a part of your routine, Thumbtack can help you find the best professional house cleaners near you.